Eipedition to the Zambesi River. 579-- 



Cupalfera mopane, where they are almost the only birds to 

 be seen. Sometimes they are pursued by Drongo Shrikes, 

 which despoil them of their prey. They have an airy flight, 

 which gives one the idea that they are made of paper. 

 Adult. Iris and soft parts yellow ; legs and feet coral-red. 



61. SiGMODUs TRICOLOR (Gray). 



Adult S • Total length (measured in tiesli) 8*2 inches. 

 Bill coral-red, yellowish at tip ; iris and eyelids red ; legs 

 and feet coral. 



62. Campopiiaga nigra Yieill. 



Observed singly and in pairs towards the breeding-season, 

 which commences in December. They keep much to the 

 tall acacia-trees, and their flight is rapid and straight. The 

 glossy steel-black of their plumage serves always to dis- 

 tinguish them from the Drongo Shrikes in whose company 

 they are not unfrequently found. 



Adult ^. Total length (measured in flesh) 7*6 inches. 

 Iris brown; throat and gape yellow; legs and feet brown. 



63. Enneocton'Us collurio (Linn.). 



The Red-backed Shrike appeared near Zumbo on Novem- 

 ber 29, and by the end of December it became very numerous, 

 adult males being especially noticeable. This bird soon got 

 into our bad books, and it was not long before it became a 

 byword among us, for whenever one of our party returned to 

 camp the question, " Have you shot a Red-backed Shrike? '' 

 was invariably asked. Its power of mimicking the poses of 

 other birds was most remarkable, and far more resorted to 

 than it is in England. This Shrike seemed to prey chiefly 

 on the small Estreldas and Sun-birds, owing probably to the 

 scarcity of insect-life, and therefore some kind of deception 

 was necessary. At one time this bird would sit close to a 

 bough, all puffed out, looking for all the world like some 

 comfortable Weaver. At another time it would perch with 

 straightened legs and shoulders all hunched up, after the 

 manner of a little Hawk, or put itself in a climbing position, 

 like a Warbler. Owina: to these assumed attitudes the 



